Stormy Daniels: Porn star politics
Is a former adult film actress serious about running against Louisiana's Sen. David Vitter?
It's tempting to dismiss former porn star Stormy Daniels as an "unserious Senate candidate—even by Louisiana's standards," said Anne Schroeder Mullins in Politico. But Daniels has jumped through every hoop necessary so far by establishing an exploratory committee and a going on a "summer listening tour." All that's left is to officially declare that she's challenging Republican Sen. David Vitter, who's got his own sexual past to overcome.
It's hard to believe a "porn star turned Louisiana Democratic Senate hopeful" really has a shot, said Michelle Cottle in The New Republic. But Stormy Daniels may be the "smarter cookie" in the race. After all, she made a nice living exploiting men's "ungovernable urges." Sen. David Vitter, "erstwhile prostitute lover," put his marriage and political career at risk simply by hiring "some working girl to handle his urges."
Stormy Daniels is the first to acknowledge that her candidacy would look "ludicrous" to an outsider, said BayouBuzz.com. But Sen. David Vitter is taking no chances, raising money frantically and casting himself as the "anti-Obama and the anti-liberal senator," even though no major Democrat has "definitively surfaced" to oppose him. The question is whether Daniels really wants to run, or just shame an experienced Democrat into stepping up to the plate.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Is New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s plan for free buses realistic?
Talking Points A transit innovation or a costly mistake
-
5 side hustle ideas to supplement your budget
the explainer Almost two-thirds of Americans are looking to get a second job in the next year
-
DOJ indicts John Bolton over classified files
Speed Read Continuing the trend of going after his political enemies, Trump prosecutes his former national security adviser
-
Ghislaine Maxwell: angling for a Trump pardon
Talking Point Convicted sex trafficker's testimony could shed new light on president's links to Jeffrey Epstein
-
The last words and final moments of 40 presidents
The Explainer Some are eloquent quotes worthy of the holders of the highest office in the nation, and others... aren't
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are US billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event